the men’s ministry craft

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aying goodbye to Muisne was bittersweet. There would be no more mosquitos and whatever ate my forearm (I’m guessing it was chiggers now) and the mountain area is generally more developed and wealthy (relatively). However, it also meant the end of our time with those who could not go with us. I left my guitar capo (an accessory that changes key) with Mattias, the youth who let me borrow his guitar through week one. Another item was requested of one of our team… Ed’s cargo pants! Pedro is the husband of a woman who has been attending Luz Del Mundo (the Muisne church that partners with us) for years with their two young children. She has been praying that Pedro would join their family in church, and more importantly, in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. He refused, but this year he was open to join the men’s workshop hosted by my teammate Ed Law. Ed did a good job talking up the workshop, mentioning the manly activities we would do such as cutting metal with knives, starting a fire, eating junk food, etc. The illustration with the craft was how we can redeem something thought to be garbage into something valuable and how God does the same with us as a sinful fallen creation when we put our faith in His son. That illustration touched Pedro to the point of him softening his heart and being open to join his family at church from then on. As we boarded the shuttle boat to leave Muisne, Pedro was there with a thankful smile and tears in his eyes… and Ed’s cargo pants! Uncle Howard wonders if that request (to have Ed’s pants) was a test of Ed’s sincerity. Whatever it was, at least one life, and family, has been changed forever for eternity!

Week two brought our team to the mountains of Juan Montalvo, an 8-hour bus ride, 9,000 ft above the coastal town of Muisne. In addition to bringing a few of our local team home, we took 5 youths from Muisne with us! This detail lead to my fondest memories of Ecuador. The youth were so bold and faithful despite their extreme poverty, rough backgrounds, and not much future career wise. They showed maturity beyond their years and a real zeal to serve their community, their church, and even a bunch of Chinese people from America (they got up at 6am to cook and serve us a special Muisne-style breakfast). Every morning over breakfast, we would have different team members lead a devotion (short bible study and reflection) and another share their testimony (life story/how they became a Christian). The testimonies of the locals stood out. One was halfheartedly abandoned by parents (leaving, showing up a bit, leaving again, etc), another was depressed and suicidal. One was religious but didn’t know God; one became an angry person after parents divorced, all among stark poverty.  In addition to their sharing of trials amidst poverty, they also shared unanimously how God revealed himself to each of them in miraculous ways. This showed me how God is still actively involved in His church and the individual lives of His children, and reminds me that the way I’m used to experiencing Him is not the only way he manifests Himself.

taking 5 youth from Muisne with us